MATTHEW OF WESTMINSTER
The flowers of history, especially such as relate to the affairs of Britain. Vol. I. B.C. 4004 to A.D. 1066.
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ing to the younger men and the whole nation a noble example of virtue and fortitude.
It happened at the same time, that seven brethren and their mother were endeavoured to be compelled by scourges to eat similar food, in the presence of that most cruel long. But they chose rather to be put to death by tortures, than to eat swine's flesh, contrary to divine and human law. And last of all, their holy and noble mother suffered, after she had already witnessed with calmness the deaths of all her seven sons in one day.
Information was laid against two other women that they had circumcised their children : and their sons were suspended round their necks, and then the executioner led them publicly through the city, and threw them down from the wall. Besides this, all those in whose houses any books of the covenant of the Lord were found, and all who observed the law of Moses, were put to death in accordance with the command of the king. On which account the multitude of the people was alarmed, and forsook the law of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Antiochus, and sacrificed to idols, and broke the sabbath, and built altars and temples to idols, after the manner of the gentiles ; nor did any one dare openly to confess himself to be a Jew ; but they imitated the pursuits of the Greeks, and wished to become in all things like that people, who had been their enemies and murderers.
CH. XXI.—Of Judas Maccabœus.
IN these days, Judas Maccabœus withdrew into the desert, and there among the wild beasts he passed his life with his friends, that he might not be a partaker in the pollutions and errors of his nation. But although they who abode with him were few in number, still they so defeated the numerous armies and generals of Antiochus in many battles, that they recovered the temple which was at Jerusalem, and the laws which had been abolished were restored by their successful obstinacy. By which it was made evidently plain, that the strength o f men was nothing against God.
CH. XXII.—The Death of Antiochus.
IN the meantime Antiochus, the king, as he was unable t o accomplish all the wickedness that he had conceived, because

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